Do the right thing....
 

Apropos to this discussion (which has now gone beyond the wiring harness issue) is the following text. It is taken, verbatim, from pages 45 and 46 of the original sales brochure for my 1989 300TE. The comments, obviously, apply to all Benz model lines:

The fact that Mercedes-Benz owners are the most stubbornly loyal of all car owners in America today arises from something more than their satisfaction with the car itself. Mercedes-Benz owners are also very satisfied with their total ownership experience.

...

In brief: when you own a Mercedes-Benz you own a car engineered, built and supported like no other car in the world...A car and a car ownership experience designed to excel in every measurable way, and some purely emotional ways.

Thus, it is the philosophy of Mercedes-Benz to build automobiles and conduct business not merely to sell cars but to earn the long-term loyalty of every owner.

(Emphasis added)

On page 45 of the brochure, prominently displayed alongside the text, is a photograph of a Benz grille, proudly displaying the 250,000, 500,000 and 1,000,000 km driving badges.

That is, in short, why we buy Benzes. And that is (rightfully or wrongfully) what Benz has led us to expect from their cars.

It would appear to me that a proud company like Benz, that actively trades on its reputation for quality design, engineering and build, product longevity and customer satisfaction ought to do better by its stubbornly loyal customers. Owning a Benz, at least for those of us who hang around here and the other Benz-related websites, becomes an almost cult-like experience (I am not referring here to the guy who leases a Benz for three years because the rates are good, then turns it in for another brand that is currently offering a better deal). I think only Saab or Volvo owners may be as fanatical as we are.

Benz knows that there is a vast reservoir of goodwill among Benz owners. Look at the Classic Benz Museum they built in California. You can even buy a "birth certificate" for your Benz (for $100.00). Benz knows that we are fanatical and they know that we are going to keep coming back to their cars. Maybe they take us a little bit too much for granted and perhaps one day the reservoir will run dry -- they shouldn’t piss away all that goodwill so frivolously.

Benz by now knows that the wiring harness for certain model year were either poorly designed or manufactured (or both). They are in a better position to go after the part vendor for reimbursement.

Instead of stonewalling the issue (and yes I know these ARE old cars, but Benz has us convinced that these are old cars that WILL last a long, long time) Benz should try to meet owners at least part of the way. If Benz just offered to pay for part of the wiring harness (part and installation) most Benz owners would be exceedingly happy (and grateful).

Maybe Benz figures that we are so “stubbornly loyal” that like, a battered spouse or a cuckolded husband, we are going to keep coming back for more regardless of how we are treated. Maybe they are right or maybe they are wrong – but is it worth the gamble?

Personally, I have always been treated very well by my local dealer and by the Benz organization. I have no complaints and all the Benzes I have owned (and stillown) have met and exceeded my ownership expectations. I know, however, that others have not been as fortunate as I have.

For their sake and for the sake of the car company that I am so stubbornly loyal to, I ask any Benz executive who may be reading this thread to reconsider their position and do the right thing. No company will ever fail by doing the right thing.

Yes...that was tongue in cheek...and I know there were many other factors...however back on topic...

It really is extremely evident to me that MB is making a killing on these harnesses. I managed to rewire an entire harness with extremely high quality/high temp wiring from a nearby marine store...for around $25.

Now, connectors and such will add cost to this...but considering they are mass produced...the cost of overall production is no doubt very very low compared to its retail price.

I'd be content if MB at least offered the harness for a reasonable cost of around $150-200. Make a small profit if you must, but please stop gouging people dealing with a defective product. I agree however, that businesses no longer are concerned with customer satisfaction. Gone are the days when losing a few thousand customers spelled your doom. The marketplace is so large now that these businesses believe they can continue with their poor customer service and save money b/c there will always be a new batch of consumers hoping to jump on their bandwagon. It ranges from cellular providers all the way up through the auto industry. If MB wants to continue on the road of cheaper and cheaper materials and spotty customer service, they'll just become another Ford etc. They'll still sell plenty of cars, their reputation will just be tarnished. But as long as someone is buying the product and generating a profit...who cares?

Hmmm Mercedes is at it again :(
 

Just read this article on CNN.com

http://www.cnn.com/2006/AUTOS/06/14/pricey_lemon/index.html

Seems like they have a multimillion dollar car that has some serious engine related problems. There are only 6 of these cars in existance in the world. The car's primary purpose for existance is a high end low production car for PR purposes.

Is Mercedes just going out of their way trying to commit brand suicide? I really love all of my cars and have managed to pick some rather trouble free models. When I read stuff like this I really start to question if cars with the 3 pointed star will remain in my driveway in the next few years. :(

I have some sympathy for them on this one. The car is not U.S. street legal, but for it to go 10 blocks before breaking down would indicate that they were driving it illegally on U.S. streets. Hard to know what the "contract" says but the contract is with Germany, not MBUSA. So why sue MBUSA? What's Germany supposed to do - fly techs over here to take care of a car that was never meant for sale in the U.S. Almost sounds like a frivolous lawsuit - or at least in the wrong court.

Only part of the story. Sounds like both sides have dug their heals in.

Agreed... Both sides dug their heels in BUT this story is on CNN.com. How much damage to Mercedes reputation are they willing to endure for a few million dollars? Im sure the car could be repaired a lot cheaper.

Yeah only the bad stuff makes the news.:rolleyes:

Their was a guy on MBworld with a new E55, the engine blew up. MB flew one over from Germany at great expense and got the car up and running extremly quickly. Needless to say the guy who built that engine for AMG had a bad day.:D

Well, MB has managed to keep the issue at hand, the MB Wiring Harness Defect,
out of the news. Anyone know anyone at a major auto magazine or JD Powers?

Or, do we have to wait for a fatal accident?

btw, my NHTSA list is up to 188 complaints.
.

Perhaps, but to Mercedes-Benz' consternation I own one of their cars......

For those who have yet to file a complaint with the NHTSA, I'll be snail-mailing another batch of complaints to their Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) in the next few weeks. Please file your own complaint with them ASAP to be included in my hard-copy mailing. Thanks.
.

Im not sure what your really trying to accomplish here. The quality problems at Mercedes go way deeper than just their wiring harnesses. It seems to be a systematic problem involving mostly their attitude and lack of customer service skills and care when engineering their cars. If you really wanted to accomplish something perhaps you could protest in front of a Mercedes dealership with a burned up wiring harness. :)

any DIY info you could give would be awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Update:

I have now recorded 197 Mercedes-Benz 1991-1996 Engine Wiring Harness Defect Complaints filed with the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration (NHTSA), and the list continues to grow.

Included in this new total are two new 1991 model year, and one new 1996 model year, disintegrating wiring harness complaints. This brings the number of 1991 complaints I have recorded--so far--to thirteen, and the number of 1996 complaints to four. While the 1996 number appears low, keep in mind that two of those four complaints were only recently filed with the NHTSA, and so are probably an unfortunate harbinger for other 1996 Mercedes-Benz owners.

Also, I have recently received some new pics, this time from a gentleman in Belgium, of the disintegrated wiring harness out of the 1992 500E he recently purchased. If you click on the the below images link, the pics from this European Mercedes harness are the bottom two:


FYI, this is still an active investigation within the NHTSA. As the increasing scope of the problem becomes apparent, I would not be suprised to see it gain a higher profile ;).

.

.
BTW, read the below complaint. I have been in contact with the complainant. First, it is miss-categorized. It is a 72,000 mile SL500, and the owner, a woman, is the original owner. The problem she is suffering is the deep down--unspoken--fear all Mercedes-Benz owners with cars of this era face:

The woman is suffering TOTAL failure of ALL the wires in her car. Pretty much bumper to bumper...

She is looking at $10,000 (48 hours of labor) to fix her SL. Apparently, all the wires in her car came from the same supplier. And why wouldn't they???

In the complaint below hers, another 1995 SL owner with a SL320, states he has had to replace a total of four different harness, beginning with the engine harness in 1998.


NHTSA Complaint Summary
Make: MERCEDES BENZ
Model: S CLASS
Year: 1995
Complaint Number: 10159899
Summary:
PARTS OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BEGAN FAILING. DRIVERS WINDOW WOULD NOT OPERATE AND AFTER MUCH TROUBLESHOOTING BY THE REPAIR SHOP, THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED. SEVERAL WEEKS LATER GAUGES ON THE DASH FAILED AND THE PASSENGER WINDOW AND HORN FAILED TO OPERATE. AFTER DISASSEMBLING THE INTERIOR (SEATS, CONSOLE, DASH, ETC.) THE REPAIR SHOP CAME UPON THE PROBLEM - WIRES SHORTING ALL ALONG THE WIRING HARNESS AND CAUSE SPARKS AND SHORTS THROUGHOUT. *NM


NHTSA Complaint Summary
Make: MERCEDES BENZ
Model: 129
Year: 1995
Complaint Number: 10150787
Summary:
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON DASHBOARD, IDLE ROUGH, STALLING OF CAR. I CHECKED THE ENGINE HARNESS CONNECTOR TO THE AIR MASS METER AND GENTLY MOVED THE WIRES. THE OUTSIDE INSULATION BEGAN TO SMOKE, THEN MELTED FROM THE HEAT. I QUICKLY TURNED OFF THE CAR'S ENGINE AND CHECKED THE DAMAGE. THE INSULATION COVERING THE 4 WIRES INSIDE OF THE HARNESS HAD TOTALLY DISINTEGRATED, THUS CAUSING SHORT CIRCUITS IN THE HARNESS. THE HEAT GENERATED ACTUALLY MELTED THE OUTSIDE COVERING OF THE WIRES BOTH AT THE AIR MASS METER CONNECTOR AND UNDERNEATH THE MAIN ENGINE COMPUTER (ECU). I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE LOCAL MB DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THE WHOLE BODY WIRING HARNESS WAS DESTROYED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1250 PLUS $600 FOR THE HARNESS. MB SAID IT WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. I FEEL THAT THE HARNESSES ON MY 1995 SL320 WERE MADE FROM SUBSTANDARD MATERIALS AND THUS DISINTEGRATED PREMATURELY PUTTING MYSELF AT RISK FROM A POSSIBLE CAR FIRE. I STILL HAVE THE HARNESS IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO INSPECT IT. ANOTHER HARNESS, THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS WAS ALSO FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE, CAUSING SHORT CIRCUITS, AND WAS REPLACED BY MB UNDER WARRANTY IN 1998. SO FAR I HAVE REPLACED 4 DIFFERENT WIRING HARNESS ON MY CAR, ALL SHOWING THE SAME DECOMPOSITION OF THE WIRING INSULATION. *NM

?
 

This thread has digressed from the original issue. There was / is a wiring issue with the early to mid 90's Mercedes Benz cars. These issues are a matter of safety and not just a matter of dollars. At this point I am personaly involved ( my car had a fire diagnosed as #$%&%^^^%&Q#@$ from the wiring harness by a Dealer tech " Off the record " ) If you want to proceed with something then there should be some sort of ORG. to handle this. I am not an attorney but my job allows me some freedom to go to D.C. and hand deliver any papers etc. I know that this issue was not only a MBZ problem during the same time frame. Does any one else own another European car from the same era ?.

Alan

My memory tells me that this defective wiring was also used in Volvo product during the same time.

According to Dave, of Dave's Volvo Wire Harnesses, 1980-1987 Volvo's had a similar problem. Evidently, Volvo figured out their mistake, and fixed it, fully four years before Mercedes-Benz decided critical engine harnesses were a good place to improve their bottom line...

Dave told me the company that makes the aftermarket Volvo harnesses are backordered a full year.
.

The problem isn't limited to the engine wiring harness. ALL the wiring on affected MB cars are made from this defective insulation. Nearly all discussion is about the engine wiring harness because it sees a lot of underhood heat and deteriorates first. Your discussion with the SL500 lady reflects this.

I've had to repair other wiring on my car because the insulation became brittle and broke from flexing. I bought my car for the long haul. I only drive 4K each year with it. I shudder to think that my otherwise perfectly maintained collectible E320 will need to be scrapped in 15 years because the miles of wiring are too expensive or too difficult to replace.

So does anyone actually know for certain in which year MB switched away from the bad wire insulation?

Steve

From my research, it appears MB made the switch away from the bad wire insulation sometime during their model year 1996 production. The problem "appears" isolated to model year 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996 MBs.

As of yet, I have come across no reports of defective harnesses for either model year 1990, nor model year 1997 MBs.

MBUSA, of course, could give us a much better idea were they to suddenly become a little more forthcoming...

My 300TE with 234K miles was manufactured in March of 1991 and does not appear to share the wire harness defect. Mark

Mark , You are very lucky (knock on wood ). As for the Volvo wiring issues I also owned an early 90" model and had wiring faillure as well as many freinds who also onwed early to mid 90"s Volvos.
Alan

To get back on topic...

Alan,

Since you offered to help...

What you could do is, print out my web page, in its entirety, and try to hand-deliver the stack of complaints directly to Joan Claybrook, current President of Public Citizen (Ralph Nader's organization), and ex-head of the NHTSA.

http://www.citizen.org/about/

http://www.google.com/search?q=Joan+Claybrook
.

Tom , You got it !. I will try to deliver it between now and mid September. I am in the process of getting 2 of my cars back on the road ( 82 911SC and 92
500E ). Are there any other people or organizations I should try to get this to ?. Just let me know.

Alan

Great, I will. Thanks Alan.

I just mailed 34 more complaints to the NHTSA today, bringing the total to 209.

btw, this week I found another 1996 C220, so that brings the 1996 model year total to five known cars reported to the NHTSA for wiring harness problems...

Here's some more Mercedes wiring harness pics from a 1992 500E. Keep in mind, this is what Mercedes told us to consider as "normal wear and tear."

Truly remarkable pictures:
edit: REMOVED DEAD LINKS

Does anyone know the number of Mercedes cars produced worldwide for the various years involved (1991-1996), and also, how many of these were imported to the USA?

I'm looking for rather detailed information of number of cars, per model, per year, worldwide and to the USA.

MERCEDES-BENZ 1991-1996 ENGINE WIRING HARNESS DEFECT
NHTSA COMPLAINT SUMMARIES

.

I just submitted my complaint for my 92 400e. Harness is toast!

Found and added to the list.


More sad news:

Someone emailed me yesterday and asked:

"I am always having wiring loom problems with a '97 C280. I have found many other people with the same problem in post '96 MB. Why did you choose '96 to stop at?"

So.... I went back and took a closer look at the 1997 MB NHTSA wiring harness complaints. I found two 1997 complaints, plus, I don't think this person has filed his own complaint yet.

So, I have now added model year 1997 Mercedes' to the list, which now counts 216.

Also, Guido, an 18 year MBZ tech on this board and the http://www.500ecstasy.com board, says the harness he replaced in his own 500E in mid 2001 is beginning to fail.

http://sites.google.com/site/infoage1/mercedes-benz-1991-1996-engine-wiring-harness-defect.

harness
 

we replaced one at our shop last week that was literally powder!!

Below, is another NHTSA Mercedes Benz underhood electrical fire complaint from a 1995 300.

Oh, and btw, the NHTSA is STILL investigating this issue last I heard from them (that would be, um, last Friday). So be sure to get those complaints in. They are not being ignored...

MERCEDES-BENZ 1991-1997 ENGINE WIRING HARNESS DEFECT NHTSA COMPLAINT SUMMARIES


NHTSA Complaint Summary

Make: MERCEDES BENZ
Model: 300
Year: 1995
Complaint Number: 836664
Summary:

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD; CONSUMER WAS TURNING A CORNER WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED, TOTAL VEHICLE FAILURE. SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE HOOD BURSTING INTO FLAMES. NO DAMAGE TO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE, BUT TO THE RIGHT HAND SIDE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD, INCLUDING THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE MELTED. *AK

:mad:

Lawyers, guns, and money
 

This seems like a really obvious field for a class-action lawsuit. The NHTSA records supply the people who've been injured. State vehicle registration records provide the list of people who are in danger of being injured. Once a lawsuit has been filed, people can depose Mercedes officials, put them under oath, ask them questions that they have to answer ("How many replacement engine wiring harnesses have you sold for 91-95 cars." And how many have you sold for 86-90 cars?") I'm not a lawyer, and am not entirely on board with the sue everbody all the time lifestyle, but this seems like a ripe situation. I wouldn't say that if it appeared that MB was taking the slightest interest in the problem.
This reminds me a little of the famous Audi "Leaping 5000" problem that they resolutely ignored, until sued.
Amerikanischer Schwein!

I bought my 94 E420 in April of this year. The previous owner had replaced the harness and a number of other items to correct a reoccuring check engine light/poor running issue, and he gave me all of those dealer receips. Is there a way to check if a complaint has already been filed for my car? How long do replacment harnesses last? Mine was replaced in 01 or 02 and now my CEL is on and I am unable to read the codes because the LED just blinks continously when the key is on or when the engine is running. Could this be harness related?

will
94 E420 (CEL on?)
82 300D (won't start?)

Sue the S.O.B.'s
 

I'm not a lawyer, and don't think that as a group they''re good for much beyond target practice. But...This seems like a textbook opportunity for a class action lawsuit. The NHTSA complaints give you the names of people who have been harmed, while state motor vehicle registrations give you a list of owners who are potential plaintiffs.
Once you have a lawsuit going, the plaintiffs' lawyer can put MB's people under oath and ask them all the questions that you think they're lying about. With the important difference that if they don't answer truthfully under oath it's a felony. Which would be a good way for MB to test the loyalty of its employees... Who's willing to go to prison for Mother Benz?
Beyond that, this whole story raises my interest in NOT buying a '93 300TE. Maybe there is a Toyota in my future...
seo

It doesn't strike me as a very good case. So many owners got help in either free parts, free labor or both. Those that got stuck with the entire bill were often second or third owners with cars that were over 10 years old. As a safety issue it would seem to be a dud too - perhaps a few engine fires but nothing like bad brakes and crashes. Bad products and stupid management decisions don't always equate to legal liability.

If this becomes a OD topic like you guys are making it into then it will get closed again...This is a tech help forum!:offtopic: :offtopic: :offtopic: :offtopic:

Attention
 

With the consent of M.B.DOC; this thread has been moved to ShopForum > Do It Yourself Links & Resources > General Information.

This topic is important to millions of MB owners.

I will be reviewing the total thread, any off topic posts will be deleted (without notice).

The topic is:
* MB Wiring Harness Failure

* Not general MB BASHING...

Count Me as a Victim
 

I guess I make the 6th complaint for a '96. I just had all the GPs replaced and my tech said the wiring harness is badly deteriorated. It's now causing the temp gauge to fail. He said to talk to MB first and see if they will do anything first. Yeah, that'll work...:(

Aftermarket wire harness?
 

Reading this endless thread, there seems to be different stories about whether MB USA or individual dealers will help out owners with the cost of replacing a deteriorated wire harness, and general concensus that it's not cheap. I have these two questions?
a) Do the replacement harnesses hold up all right? I've read some comments about having to do multiple replacements, but it's not clear if they're replacing the same harness more than once, or if other harnesses deteriorate after the first one (underhood?) goes bad.
b) Is there an aftermarket source for replacement harnesses? I've fabricated harnesses (for yachts) on a semi-production basis, and I must say that the prices that people say they've paid seem very high, assuming that it's just plain copper wire with DIN spec plugs, which ought to be available wholesale. The harnesses I've made all used tinned copper wire with special insulation, and the wrapping had to be a special marine "worm" type. The standard type of automotive wrapping tends to end up in the bilge, tightly wound around the impeller shafts of the bilge pumps.

I just did a minor investigation on Google, and came up with no harnesses for MB, but, for example, a complete harness for an ENTIRE '57 chevy costs $399. And it probably has fewer connectors and less wire than the engine compartment harness for a MB 300.
Then I discovered a company called Autoparts Warehouse quotes prices for mid-90's MB's:
Year Engine Chassis Quantity

Mercedes Benz C220 1994 - 1996 111.961 202.022
Price: $56.92

Mercedes Benz C220 1994 - 1996 111.961 202.022
Price: $56.92

Mercedes Benz C280 1994 - 1997 104.941 202.028
Price: $56.92

Mercedes Benz C280 1994 - 1997 104.941 202.028
Price: $56.92

Which is cheaper than I could ever make one for. Am I comparing apples and oranges here?
seo

For starters, it seems to me that most of the discussion revolves around the E320 models 93-95, and a few 92s and 96s. Maybe that's because most of the models that year were E320, or maybe I'm biased because I own one. Your post (and research, I assume) mentions C220 and C280. That's probably apples and oranges right there.

From what I know of automotive manufacturing, nearly all automotive wiring is made in Mexico because it is a labor-intensive process. Manufacturers ship wire and connectors to Mexico and get finished assemblies back. Perhaps the replacement wiring - which you can't compete with - is made in Mexico.

I suspect the few people that had to replace the harness twice were those who replaced theirs early on, and the replacement wiring was old stock, i.e., production wiring set aside for aftermarket replacement. I can only hope that this wiring is sold out, and further production of replacement wiring is similar to wiring used in present production. I shudder at the thought that MB would use defective wiring to make replacement harnesses, yet use good wiring in production of new vehicles. This would be the ultimate nonsense.

If you fabricate harnesses on a regular basis, you may be in a position to offer this community a lower cost alternative. A lot of owners are sick of MB sticking us with defective wiring, then raping us with aftermarket prices. I replaced mine four years ago and got no help from MB. If others could find the same (or better) wiring for less, everyone would benefit. I urge you to explore this opportunity.

I replaced the engine compartment wiring harness on my 92 500E after it caused a major fire . One of my friends has a 94 E500 that is now in need of a a new harness. Both vehicles had relatively low mileage ( my 92 had 58000 miles when it happened ).

Alan

Update: My 1994 500SL Roadster wiring harness and throttle actuator defect
 

I want everyone to know How Tom's website helped me get my repairs done for free.

My e-mail to MBUSA and a few phone calls sparked some attention from Mercedes Benz.
I then went back to Mercedes Benz of Fort Myers last night and had a very nice chat with the service manager.
After he heard an ear full from me, I presented a printout of your article for his review.
He then offered to replace the engine wiring harness and the throttle actuator for free.
Your website saved me $3,800 in repair cost.

He admitted to me he was aware of the problem and NHTSA has several complaints from many Mercedes Benz owners on this problem. However, NHTSA has not started any investigations on this growing safety issue.

I spoke to a representative of NHTSA to file a complaint. The rep took my statement and mentioned no investigation on this growing safety problem has been investigated as of yet and he was not sure when or if it will be investigated. He advised I will receive a copy of my complaint in 10 days and the phone call ended.

Tom, do you know how many complaints it takes for NHTSA to start an investigation?
Once the investigation is started, how long before a decision is made to recall a defect?
What is the time line?
Someone could get hurt or killed before this is rectified.
This is very frustrating to know that many Mercedes Benz owners are driving a potentially fatal time bomb not to mention the high cost of repair / replacement.

Thank you for your research and hard work.
The knowledge I learned from your website not only save me $3,800 but you probably saved my life.

Thank you Tom

Geralyn,

Congratulations on your success on getting your defect fixed and paid for.

As to there being no investigation, that is not quite accurate. The NHTSA is investigating whether or not to open an "official" investigation, if that makes any sense.

The NHTSA Defect Assessment Division (DAD) chief, who I have been in contact with over the last year and a half, mailed me a letter very recently to say he (the NHTSA) is still actively looking in to this issue:

"DAD continue to review the wiring harness problem to determine if sufficient evidence exist to initiate a safety defect investigation."

btw, I have shipped three bad harness to him, at his request and the NHTSA's expense, over this same period of time. As explained to me, there are internal NHTSA (read political) issues involved in raising the level of the investigation. That said, he agrees that it is a serious situation.

That the "rep" you spoke to knowns of no investigation means nothing. You and I have access to the same information, through the NHTSA's web site, as the NHTSA's complaint reps do; about zip.

Regards,
Tom Marhoefer
.

I am the latest victim of the "Mercedes Defective Wiring Harness Curse". Just filed a complaint with the NHTSA, but expect no action, however it's a good faith try before filing action in court. My 1995 C280 was bought new (Also have a SL600), and has about 80,000 original pampered miles. The wires are a mess, the car won't start, As I opened the wire bundles, found a disaster of shorted wires and disintegrated insulation. I also have a '36 Rolls, the wires on my Rolls are original and look new compared to the Mercedes that was manufactured SIXTY years later. I contacted the dealer (refused to do anything... as expected), contacted MBUSA Customer support, got the line of "Warranty expired, we cannot do anything about it - you are the stupid one that bought one of our cars..."). Well, I have owned 20 MB's over the past 30 years and never expected to see such a blatant disregard and failure of not only sound engineering design principles, but of customer service, an arrogance that only a slowly disintegrating company can show. I the meantime, my car sits, unused (Luckily I have other vehicles), but I refuse to get raped and pillaged by the dealer to sell me a wire harness for thousands of dollars. I'd rather sue and bury them in legal fees, I guarantee never ending motions.

Geralyn in Fort Myers, throw a party. Heck, invite those insanely service-oriented folks from the Fort Myers MB dearlership. Guess they didn’t get the memo from MB USA.

Pepepotamo in Daytona Beach, welcome to our pain. Took my 95 E320 wagon to the local MB dealer earlier this month. Wiring harness is what you would expect.

One of my complaints is that the cruise control engages whenever it wants to at the speed it decides. One time it activated when I turned on the A/C, in heavy traffic. Fortunately applying the brakes still disengages the cruise control that I didn't set. I am certain that others who inhabit the sane world would agree with me that this is a safety problem. Yes, I have filed a complaint with the NHTSA.

At least I was able to raise both eyebrows of the service rep. Later on, I was politely counseled on the harsh reality that I had managed to remain ignorant of in my 51-year life experience and 28-year electrical and civil engineering career. That would be: a ten-year old automobile, yes even a magnificent Mercedes-Benz is an ancient, worn-out machine. Mine was assembled in a previous century, and unfortunately has logged ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY THOUSAND miles. What was I expecting? Regardless of how well-maintained the car is, with that kind of mileage, some things like engine wiring harnesses just wear out. A brutal lesson in life, professionally delivered.

Today I shelled out $950 for a new harness. I feel like I was just mugged in plain daylight. I’m out of immediate options, and this car is about to quit on the highway, catch on fire, cause harm to me or someone in my family, or selectively continue to fry electronic components down the line. And you can’t diagnose anything else until the harness is replaced. I’m doing it myself.

For those of you who were born around the time when Chevy came out with a V8, you know about HEATHKITS, I built a fair number of those, so I could build a quality harness on my own, but alas, time is a luxury.

I'm no ‘certified’ mechanic, but I guarantee that it will not take me the 3.5 hours they quoted me to remove the old and install the hopefully appropriate harness. I should not say ‘improved’, as engine wiring harnesses, I now have learned, ‘wear out’. Funny thing about the wiring harnesses in those other four older MBs I have owned, or the other Toyotas, Chevrolets, Nissans, Fords, and Hondas in my 35 years of auto ownership and maintenance.

And how about that old electronic throttle actuator lurking in there? Must be the next assault on my wallet.

On to the old happy holiday season. Good luck to everyone.

I recently purchased a '95 320E wagon to replace my worn out '87 300TD. Is there a way to determine if the harness has been changed-other than opening the harness cover?

You don't have to open the big bulk of the wire harness. Just go to one of the terminals at the front of the engine that have one or two wires. Peel back a bit of the armoring and inspect the insulation. This problem doesn't hide itself very well.

I believe another way is to check the part number on the tag, located about 1-2 feet from the bulkhead connection. At least on mine the replacement part number has the suffix "S" in front of it.

12/21/2006 400E wiring harness failure. I called MBUSA and was told that as a MB owner I must be stupid. Never heard of this complaint they said. What!!!!

From a business perspective this is millions of dollars at stake. My respect for MB has dropped to an all time low. They changed the harness to improve the heat deterioration. Why if it wasn't wrong to begin with?? At $650 they are selling a bunch of these and a product manager at MB knows how many more are going to be sold and what the labors revenue will be.

Like to hear the truth from these people. Think a class action suit against MB and our NHTSA.

S600 Coupe harness fails and causes other damage
 

My harness just took out my left and right throttle control as well as the EFP control unit. The list price on just these few items is astonomical... in the galaxy of $13,000.00 or so. And. ironically, I just completed MB's paperwork to lease a ML350 for my wife a couple days before this occurred! I had no idea that this pervasive problem pre-existed, let alone was so well documented, until it happened to me. Other than biting the bullet and buying these items(I found a co. that rebuilds the throttle controls for only $400 per, as opposed to over $7,000 a pair!), I'm considering exactly what my course of action will be in dealing with MB about this, and am wondering what has worked for some of you.

Regards,
Scott Milgrom
1994 S600 Coupe
1993 Land Rover Defender 110
1994 Viper Roadster

Hi I'm new to this forum, I would like to be added to the list of owners having an issue with mercedes benz faulty electrical harness.
I currently own an 1995 SL 600 with less than 30,000 miles and now I have been quoted $3,000.00 for the injector harness and the main engine harness which looks exactly as the one's shown on the posted pictures.

I also was told by the local mb service representative that this is a common problem and that there is no recall or warranty on this faulty part.

PLEASE INCLUDE ME ON THE LIST.

The pix could have come from a horror movie :D :D
MERCEDES-BENZ 1991-1996 ENGINE WIRING HARNESS DEFECT NHTSA COMPLAINT IMAGES

I have a 1996 C280, Count me in! I filed a complaint with the NHTSA yesterday! Let's hope for the best!!!